The Haas F1 team has confirmed Esteban Ocon will not return for the remainder of the season, with Rafa Camara set to make his Formula 1 debut at the Brazilian Grand Prix. The decision follows a heated argument in Mexico that strained relations beyond repair, leading team principal Ayao Komatsu to bench the Frenchman. Reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa replaced Ocon mid-season and scored a point in 10th place during his debut.
Camara, a Ferrari junior already signed for 2027, will now accelerate his entry into F1. The Brazilian currently leads the Formula 2 standings and impressed Haas during private testing. He has completed five Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) outings, including a key session in Portimao that convinced the team of his readiness.
While Camara has never driven a 2026 F1 car, he will not be unprepared for his home debut. The final green light came on Tuesday, though Camara had been on standby since Ocon’s removal. It remains unclear whether Camara or Hirakawa will race in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, with a combination likely.
The change also affects Ferrari’s FP1 plans, with Dino Beganovic now set to drive instead of Camara.
Source: Autosport F1 News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing